Feline Inappropriate Urination

Regardless of the initiating underlying cause, getting a cat to use his/her litter box exclusively again can be extremely challenging.  Below is a list of things that are very helpful to get a cat to use his/her litter box.  Please implement every recommendation that applies to you, to get your cat to use his/her box to urinate sooner.

·         Have one litter box per cat plus an extra one

·         Have litter boxes in at least 2 different locations in the house and make sure there is a box on every floor of the house

·         Remove litter box covers/hoods

·         The larger the box the better s/he will like it.  Plastic storage bins can be purchased in a larger size than a traditional litter box size. Have at least one larger sized box.

·         Put 2 inches of litter in each box, unscented litter

·         Treat EVERY accident site with either Nature’s Miracle or A.I.P. product.  Do not just spray this over the site, please pour the product over each site and let it soak into the floor (as the urine did).  This will remove all traces of odor that reminds him/her to go there again.

·         Please a bowl of dry cat food over accident sites that are used the most.

·         Buy and use the plug-in Feliway pheromone.  This needs to be replaced about once a month.  This pheromone in the air will calm your cat down and make him/her less likely to want to mark his/her territory with urine.

·         Sift the litter boxes EVERY SINGLE DAY.  This is extremely important.  Many cats go out of the litter box once it is dirtied; let’s keep it as clean as possible.

·         Change the entire litter box, clean it with a mild soap and replace new litter into box – once a week for clay litter, every 2 weeks for clumping litter.

·         We sell all of the products mentioned above in our Pet Nutrition Center, next door to our hospital.

·         If these measures do not solve the problem, your doctor may consider adding on a behavioral medication that may help.  Keeping him/her inside more to limit his/her interactions with other cats will also help.

Inappropriate urination can also be a sign of underlying health problems. If you have not had your pet's urine tested, please contact our office at 206-322-5444 to schedule an appointment.

• Information from the Veterinary Information Network (VIN) about Feline House Soiling
• Glacier Point for Cats - This is an extraordinary water fountain that can help your cat drink more
• Ohio State University's Indoor Cat Initiative has some wonderful information. Try looking under problem solving, indoor cat needs, and feline stressors.